HAMDEN — Four Hamden restaurants received poor scores on recent inspections, according to the Quinnipiack Valley Health District.

Eli’s On Whitney, 2392 Whitney Ave., received a “C” grade with a score of 88 at its Dec. 5, 2018 inspection, according to the health district. It failed the inspection because of a four-point violation for failing to keep some cold food at appropriate temperatures, inspection records show.

According to the inspection report, chicken wings were found at 44-46 degrees — 41 degrees or less is required — and “numerous soups, chowder, rice, broth” were measured at 43 degrees in a walk-in refrigerator, then discarded. The inspector noted that “numerous thermometers” were needed in the fridge to locate warmer areas.

The restaurant was also cited for not sanitizing cleaning rags regularly enough and a “filthy” vacuum for the sous vide cooking process.

It was re-inspected earlier this week and earned a “B” grade, according to the health district. Scott Scalabrino, general manager of Eli’s On Whitney, said the restaurant got a score of 92 upon reinspection. The restaurant incurred another four-point violation because of a temperature issue with a cooler, he said.

Eli’s On Whitney previously earned an “A” rating with a score of 99 at its April 5, 2018, inspection.

Scalabrino said that Eli’s earned a “B,” not a “C” on Dec. 5 — QVHD’s listing was wrong, which prompted him to call for a re-inspection.

While a “B” is written on the paper form, a “C” was accurate given the point violations the restaurant incurred, according to Leslie Balch, director of public health.

Scalabrino said the restaurant takes food safety seriously.

“We’re in business to take care of our customers, not to get them sick,” said Scalabrino.

Golden Chopsticks, 2380 Dixwell Ave., received a “C” rating with a failing score of 74 at its Jan. 15 inspection. It has not yet been re-inspected, according to the health district.

The restaurant was cited for having a variety of dirty items, including containers, shelves, a flour sieve, thermometer probe and 30 glasses.

The inspector also marked the actions of a new, untrained employee, who was using their cellphone, eating in the kitchen, and serving food without washing their hands afterward; a broken, taped refrigerator door, oatmeal found at 97 degrees on the stove and a lack of hats and hairnets. There was also a leak in the roof, according to the report.

Owner Xiao Yan Chen said the restaurant has tried to repair the roof repeatedly, but the building is old and the patches keep failing.

Chen said the kitchen was clean — staff always work to keep the place clean, she said — and that the glasses, rather than being dirty, just had water spots on them.

The employee had washed their hands in the bathroom, but the inspector said they needed to wash them in the kitchen as well, Chen said.

Golden Chopsticks previously received an “A” rating with a score of 93 at its March 13, 2018, inspection.

Two other restaurants earned “C” ratings and/or a designation of failure on recent inspections, according to the QVHD.

Sopori D’Italia, 295 Circular Ave., failed its Jan. 17 inspection because of a four-point violation for failing to keep food at appropriate temperatures. It received a score of 82.

The restaurant was required to fix an issue with the front display case the same day, according to QVHD records. It was re-inspected the next day and found to be compliant with regulations.

It received an “A” rating with a score of 92 at a second follow-up inspection Jan. 31.

Manager Antonio DeNicola said the fridge needed to be adjusted — a minor issue, quickly dealt with. He said he and his family have run the business for 15 years and take the safety of their customers seriously.

“Of course I take (food safety) seriously. It’s my number one priority,” said DeNicola. “I take pride in what we do.”

Mama Rosa’s Pizza, 23 Putnam Ave., received a “C” rating at its Sept. 4, 2018, inspection, according to QVHD. An exact score was not immediately available, staffers said. The restaurant has since closed.

The Quinnipiack Valley Health District oversees between 400 and 500 restaurants in Hamden, Bethany, North Haven and Woodbridge, according to Balch.

Approximately 27 eateries have been inspected in 2019, according to QVHD records.

Any restaurant that receives a score lower than 80 (out of 100) or is found to have committed a four-point violation is considered to have “failed” the inspection, according to Balch. A four-point violation is the most serious as it immediately relates to food safety.

These restaurants are typically re-inspected within two weeks unless the issue is corrected immediately, according to Lynn Fox, chief of environmental services.

Any imminent threat to public health would lead the health district to immediately close the establishment in question or request it voluntarily close to repair the issue, Balch said.